Steinwedel Allegorical Garden

The garden at the Steinwedel Church evokes the old “plant sermons” of the Lutheran Church from the 16th century. Theological themes and questions of faith are brought to life through the use of medicinal herbs and plants from the woods and fields. What do the red leaves of the rose symbolize? What does the blue of the forget-me-not tell us? 

“A Christian’s heart should be golden—like a flower.” This is how clergymen during the Reformation sought to convey their Protestant message through flowers. Five sky-blue petals were meant to symbolize the five senses. The rose represents the blood of Christ, and the long stem of the ribwort plantain symbolizes upright faith. These are just a few of the botanical symbols. In 2013, the first garden of its kind was created at St. Peter’s Church in Steinwedel, focusing on these botanical sermons of Lutheranism from the late 16th century. There, wild and cultivated plants, perennials and summer flowers, medicinal herbs, and roses grow in the flower beds. Those strolling through the garden will also find explanatory notes here and there. A helpful booklet with explanations can be downloaded from the parish’s website at http://www.sankt-petri-steinwedel.de/seite/343750/allegorischer-garten.html.